Dispensing closure for containers

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a dispensing closure suitable for dispensing pourable product from a container. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a “flip-top” type closure operated by an actuating means.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a closure suitable for dispensing pourable product from a container. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a “flip-top” type closure operated by an actuating means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dispensing closures for containers are commonly known in the art and may be based on various opening mechanisms such as “push and turn”, “twist and turn”, “twist to open” or “push and pull”. Those closures are commonly used in combination with containers designed to contain products such as food, beverages, personal care products, pharmaceutical or cosmetic products. Typical types of dispensing closures are for example described in EP-B1-0378488 (turn open), U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,932 (snap-on), U.S. Pat. No. 2,004,015507 (push and pull) or WO 03/050033 (twist to open). The specific type of flip-top closures is described for example in WO 2004/110889, EP-A1-0 567 374, EP-A1-0 379 775, U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,607 or U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,216.

Although the above-types of closures will generally function satisfactorily in the applications for which they are designed, they typically only permit slow dispensing of limited amount of fluids. However, in certain circumstances, it is required to dispense the contained products much faster and in a relatively large quantity. This is typically the case in the context of liquid detergent containers. It has indeed been discovered that the users of containers equipped with the corresponding dispensing closures primarily seek for the fastest possible delivery of the contained liquid detergent into an appliance or receptacle. Most commonly used closures for containers adapted for delivering liquid detergent compositions, which are typically viscous liquids by nature, are described e.g. in EP-B1-0 109 704. Those dispensing closures typically consist of two separate parts: a spouted transition piece and a screw-type cap. Although the spouted piece allows for precise pouring of the viscous liquid into the intended receptacle, the cap is however often seen as difficult and/or too long to open and may easily get lost.

Another drawback associated with the use of the above dispensing system is that under usage, liquid detergent compositions may be spilled in the area where liquid detergent is consumed and/or on the user's hands which may lead to skin irritation or even burns. This often occurs when the above-mentioned cap is also used as a dosing means.

It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a dispensing closure suitable for dispensing pourable product from a container which provides fast dispensing of the contained product, which is easy-to-use, mess-free and which overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks.

It has now been found that the above objective can be met by providing a dispensing closure 1 according to the present invention.

Advantageously, the dispensing closure 1 according to the present invention exhibits improved opening/closing ergonomics. It is therefore possible, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, to operate the dispensing closure 1 using a single finger of the hand used to hold the container 2 to which the dispensing closure 1 is attached.

A further advantage associated with the dispensing closure 1 according to the present invention is that due to the relatively large pouring opening, the container 2 in combination to which the dispensing closure is used, is easily refillable.

It is still another advantage that the dispensing closure 1 of the present invention requires a minimum number of components, which greatly facilitates its manufacture and assembly, and substantially reduces the associated production costs.

Other advantages and more specific properties of the dispensing closure 1 according to the present invention will be clear after reading the following description of the invention in combination with the attached drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a dispensing closure 1 suitable for being mounted on a container 2, the container 2 having a dispensing opening 3 and being suitable for containing a pourable product in its interior volume, wherein the dispensing closure 1 comprises:

-   -   (a) a base member 6 comprising a means for attachment 9 to the         container 2, a draining canal 11 adapted to communicate with the         interior volume of the container 2, and a discharging means 12;     -   (b) a cap 16 comprising a sealing means 17 for securing said cap         16 onto said base member 6 thereby covering said discharging         means 12 in a tight manner vis-à-vis the content of said         container 2;     -   (c) a means of articulation 26 of the cap 16 with respect to the         base member 6 between a open position whereby the discharging         means 12 is uncovered and a closed position whereby the         discharging means 12 is covered by said cap 16; the means of         articulation 26 joining the cap 16 to the base member 6;     -   (d) a flexible member 30 lodged within the base member 6 and         comprising a locking means 34 adapted to inter-engage the         sealing means 17 so as to maintain the cap 16 in its closed         position; the flexible member 30 further comprising an actuating         means 35 which under actuation is capable of disengaging the         locking means 34 from the sealing means 17;     -   (e) complementary means 40,41 located in the cap 16 and in the         flexible member 30 capable of releasing the cap 16 back towards         its open position once the locking means 34 have been disengaged         from the sealing means 17.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a container closure assembly, comprising:

-   -   (a) a container 2 having a body portion 4 for holding the         container content, a lower closed end for supporting the         container 2, an upper end including a means of attachment 10         thereon adapted to receive and affix a dispensing closure for         containers;     -   (b) a dispensing closure 1 as above-indicated, mounted on the         container 2.

The present invention further encompasses a method of dispensing the content of a container 2 comprising the steps of:

-   -   (a) providing a container closure assembly as above-described,         wherein the cap 16 is in its closed position;     -   (b) actuating the actuating means 35 so as to release the cap 16         back towards its open position;     -   (c) pouring the required amount of the container content through         the discharging means 12;     -   (d) mechanically closing the cap 16 back towards its closed         position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-section view of a container closure assembly according to the present invention. The assembly comprising a container 2 onto which is mounted a dispensing closure 1 according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a dispensing closure 1 according to the invention in its closed position.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a dispensing closure 1 according to the invention in its open position.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a dispensing closure 1 according to the invention in its open position, which shows the base member 6, the cap 16 and the flexible member 30 separately.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a dispensing closure 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention in its open position.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a dispensing closure 1 according to the invention in its open position.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a dispensing closure 1 according to the invention from which the base member 6 has been removed and which represents the flexible member 30 and the cap 16 in its closed position.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a dispensing closure 1 according to the invention in its open position.

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of a dispensing closure 1 according to the invention in its closed position.

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of a dispensing closure 1 according to the invention from which the base member 6 has been removed and which represents the flexible member 30 and the cap 16 in its closed position.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the purposes of promoting and understanding the principles of the present invention, reference will be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, this specification and the accompanying drawings discloses specific forms as examples of the invention. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment so described.

In a first embodiment, the present invention is directed to a dispensing closure 1 suitable for being mounted onto a container 2 having a dispensing opening 3.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a dispensing closure 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention is represented which is mounted onto a container 2.

Container 2

In a preferred embodiment, the container 2 comprises a body portion 4 for holding container content, a lower closed end for supporting said container 2, an upper end including a neck 5 delimiting a dispensing opening 3. The dispensing closure 1 of the present invention may be securely mounted onto said container 2, via its base member 6, using any means of attachment commonly know to those skilled in the art including cooperative threads, crimping, clipping means, heat sealing force fitting, clasp elements, snap-fit bead, groove arrangements, and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the dispensing closure 1 of the invention is provided with an inner female thread 9 typically located in the base member 6, as described hereinafter, and the container neck 5 is provided with a male thread 10 formed adjacent its dispensing opening 3. Typically, the dispensing closure 1 is mounted onto the container 2 with the female thread 9 of the base member 6 screwed on the male thread 10 of the container 2.

Alternatively, the container 2 may not need having a neck 5. Instead the container 2 may consist of a just a body portion 4 with a dispensing opening 3. The dispensing closure 1 of the present invention is suitable for use with a variety of conventional or special containers having various designs, the details of which, although not illustrated or described, would be apparent to those skilled in the art. The container 2 may have a rigid wall or walls, or may have a somewhat flexible wall or walls.

In a preferred aspect of the invention, the dispensing closure 1 is a separate element which is adapted to be removably or non-removably mounted, via its base member 6, to a previously manufactured container 2 which has a dispensing opening 3 to the container interior. In an alternative execution, the dispensing closure 1 may be formed as a unitary part, or extension, of the container 2. The dispensing closure 1 is adapted to be used with a container 2 having a dispensing opening 3 to provide access to the container interior volume and to a product contained therein, which is preferably a pourable product. However, the dispensing closure 1 of the invention may be used with many products, including but not limited to, relatively low or high viscosity liquids, creams, gels, suspensions, mixtures, lotions, pastes, particulates, granular products, and mixtures thereof. Typical products for use in the present invention may be those constituting a food product, a personal care product, an industrial or household cleaning product, or other compositions of matter for use in activities involving manufacturing, commercial or household maintenance, construction, agriculture.

Preferably, said pourable product is a liquid composition, more preferably a viscous liquid composition, most preferably a laundry liquid detergent composition.

Base Member 6

The dispensing closure 1 according to the present invention comprises as a first element, a base member 6. FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of the dispensing closure 1 according to the invention comprising a base member 6 with a cap 16 in its closed position.

The base member 6 is intended to be mounted onto a container 2 using any suitable means of attachment as indicated above. Suitable means of attachment are designed so as to provide secure sealing between the dispensing closure 1 and the container 2 vis-à-vis its content.

The base member 6 may have any suitable configuration, form or dimension for accommodating an upwardly projecting neck 5 or portion of a container 2. In a preferred execution of the present invention, the base member 6 has a substantially trapezoidal shape when seen from the top, as represented in FIG. 8. The base member 6 is comprised of two distinct parts: a skirt 8 and a deck 7. The skirt 8 generally forms the external and surrounding wall of the base member 6 and extends substantially towards the container direction, typically parallel to the neck 5 of the container 2. The deck 7 which typically extends substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the container 2 is generally substantially flat and horizontal.

More specifically, and as shown in FIG. 9, the means for attachment 9 is preferably located onto the inner wall of the base member 6.

As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 8, the base member 6 further comprises a draining canal 11 adapted to communicate with the interior volume of the container 2 such as to dispense the container content via the discharging means 12, when the cap 16 is in its open position.

Discharging means 12 for use herein may be readily recognized and selected by those skilled in the art. Preferably, said discharging means 12 is a pouring spout. In a more preferred execution, the discharging means 12 is a beveled spout which extends upwardly from the base member 6, preferably from the deck 7. Such preferred spout allows better control and more precise dispensing of the container content, especially viscous liquids such as liquid detergents. It is preferred that said discharging means 12 has a substantially annular shape.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, said discharging means 12 is surrounded by a deflecting stem 13 which projects upwardly from the base member 6. Preferably, the height of the deflecting stem 13 is lower than that of the discharging means 12 so as not to affect the dispensing function of said discharging means 12. Also, it is preferred that the shape and dimension of the deflecting stem 13 cooperates with the cap 16 so as to ensure improved sealing of said cap 16 vis-à-vis the content of the container 2. Typically, the deflecting stem 13 is of annular shape and has an outer diameter 14 and an inner diameter 15. Preferably, the outer diameter 14 of said deflecting stem 13 is flush with that of the cap 16. The deflecting stem 13 also centers the cap 16 and support said cap 16 from radial deflection.

In a highly preferred execution, the deflecting stem 13 is located in such a way as to form spacing between said discharging means 12 and said deflecting stem 13. Said spacing may preferably take the form of a circular drainer 44 adapted to recuperate any pourable product contained within the container 2, preferably viscous liquid product, which would not have been properly dispensed from said discharging means 12. Also, said spacing is preferably provided with apertures (not represented) communicating with the interior of the container 2 so as to permit the recuperated product to be drained back into the container 2. Additionally, said apertures will also constitute air intake means adapted to allow air to penetrate into the container 2 in response to the evacuation of its content and thereby contribute to a better dispensing of the container content, preferably viscous liquids.

The constituting parts of the base member 6 are formed from any suitable material commonly known in the art. Preferably, said parts are all formed from heat sealable thermoplastic materials such as polyethylene or polypropylene single piece. Accordingly, and in a preferred execution of the invention, the base member 6 is a monolithic piece.

Cap 16

The dispensing closure 1 according to the present invention is further provided with a cap 16, the role of which is to cover the discharging means 12 in a tight manner vis-à-vis the content of the container 2. FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show a top perspective view of a cap 16 respectively in its closed and open position.

The cap 16 for use herein may have any suitable configuration, form or dimension for accommodating the discharging means 12 comprised in the dispensing closure 1 of the present invention. Suitable caps 16 for use herein will easily be recognized by those skilled in the art. In a preferred execution, the cap 16 has a substantially rounded shape which will allow proper covering of said discharging means 12. Preferably, the cap 16 has a concave form with the concavity turned towards the direction of the base member deck 7. The cap 16 for use in the present invention may optionally, but preferably, comprise a transition piece 19 which makes the junction between said cap 16 and said means of articulation 26. Typically, said transition piece 19 comprises an inner surface 20 and an outer surface 21.

The cap 16 for use herein, preferably possesses a lip assembly including a lip portion 22 and a preferably annular lip stem 23 which projects downwardly from the lip portion 22 and extends around the perimeter of the lip portion 22. In that preferred embodiment, the base member 6, and preferably the deck 7 is provided with a receiving recess 24 adapted to tightly fit the lip stem 23 so as to achieve a further improved sealing of said cap 16 onto the base member 6. According to a preferred embodiment, said receiving recess 24 is of annular shape so as to conform to the preferred annular lip stem 23 and tightly circumvents said deflecting stem 13. According to an even more preferred embodiment, said cap 16 is provided with an additional plug seal in the form of a secondary annular wall 43 extending downwardly from the inner surface 18 of the cap 16. It is preferred that the dimensions of said secondary annular wall 43 are adapted so that it can fit into said circular drainer 44 and the diameter of said secondary annular wall is slightly inferior to that of the inner diameter of said deflecting stem 13. According to this other preferred execution of the present invention, a further improved sealing of said cap 16 vis-à-vis the content of the container 2 is obtained.

The cap 16 comprises a sealing means 17 for securing said cap 16 onto said base member 6 thereby providing secure sealing vis-à-vis the content of the container 2.

Said sealing means 17 is designed so as to inter-engage locking means 34 comprised in the flexible member 30 as described hereinafter. In a highly preferred embodiment, the sealing means 17 is at least one hook, preferably two hooks.

In a preferred execution of the present invention, said sealing means 17 is located in the lip stem 23 at selected locations. In such a preferred execution, the above-described receiving recess 24 may be provided with apertures 25 adapted to permit said sealing means 17 to traverse through said base member 6, preferably said deck 7 and thereby inter-engage said locking means 34 located in said flexible member 30. Preferably, said sealing means 17 is positioned in the lip stem 23 at the opposite side with respect to the hinge assembly which will be described hereinafter. More preferably, said sealing means 17 are located diametrically opposite to the means of articulation 26, as will be described below.

The cap 16 for use in the present to the present invention may be formed from any suitable material commonly known in the art. Preferably, said cap 16 is formed from heat sealable thermoplastic materials such as polyethylene or polypropylene single piece.

Means of Articulation 26

According to the present invention, and as represented in particular in FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the cap 16 is mounted via a means of articulation 26 onto the base member 6, preferably onto the deck 7 of said base member 6, between a closed position whereby said discharging means 12 is completely covered by said cap 16 and a open position whereby said discharging means 12 is completely uncovered. According to a preferred execution of the present invention, when the cap 16 is in its completely open position, the cap 16 forms an angle of at least 180° with respect to the substantially horizontal plan formed by the base member deck 7. Accordingly, the user is allowed to watch and control the discharging means 12 during the whole course of the dispensing operation.

The means of articulation 26 joins the cap 16 to the base member 6 and is typically designed so as to permit said cap 16 to pivot around a pre-determined axis. Suitable means of articulation 26 for use herein will easily be recognized by those skilled in the art. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the means of articulation 26 is a hinge-type assembly which may be conventionally known hinges selected from the group of pivot-hinge, “butterfly-hinge” and “three-legged-hinge” also known as living hinge.

In one preferred execution, and as represented in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the means of articulation 26 is in the form of a pivot-hinge comprising a pivotation piece 27 and a pivot 28. According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the means of articulation 26 is a three-legged hinge comprising three articulation legs. In still another preferred embodiment, the means of articulation 26 is butterfly-hinge 29, as represented in FIG. 5.

In another aspect of the invention, said means of articulation 26 may be adapted so as to elastically force the cap 16 back towards its open position. More specifically, the means of articulation 26 shall be designed such that the energetically stable position is the open position. Also, when said cap 16 is mechanically pivoted towards the closed position, the means of articulation 26 is subjected to bending and/or compressive deformation which in response creates an elastic restoring force which forces said cap 16 back towards its open position, in particular to its completely open position.

A suitable means of articulation 26 according to this other aspect of the invention is described e.g. in WO 2004/110889. However, other suitable configurations may be easily recognized by those skilled in the art.

The means of articulation 26 for use herein may be formed from any suitable material commonly known in the art. Preferably, said means of articulation 26 is formed from the same material as that used to form the cap 16 and/or the base member 6. According to one embodiment, the base member 6, the cap 16 and the means of articulation 26 may be formed as a single piece, preferably from the same thermoplastic material such as polyethylene or polypropylene. According to this specific embodiment, the different parts may be advantageously molded within a single injection molding operation which therefore involves both a simple and economical manufacturing process.

Flexible Member 30

The dispensing closure 1 according to the present invention further comprises a flexible member 30. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the dispensing closure 1 according to the invention in its open position, wherein are represented the base member 6, the cap 16, the means of articulation 26 and the flexible member 30 separately. As for FIG. 7, this is a top perspective view of the dispensing closure 1 according to the invention from which the base member 6 has been removed and which represents the flexible member 30 and the cap 16 in its closed position.

The flexible member 30 is lodged within the base member 6 in a suitable housing 31. The flexible member 30 may have any suitable configuration, form or dimension for accommodating the configuration of the base member 6 and in particular the internal volume of the base member 6. In a preferred execution of the present invention, wherein the base member 6 has a substantially cylindrical shape fused with a substantially square shape, as represented in the accompanying drawings, the flexible member 30 is provided with a similar overall shape as represented in FIG. 11. In such a preferred execution, the flexible member 30 is in the form of a substantially thin strap having substantially the same height as that of the skirt 8 and which is provided with an upper lip 32 and lower lip 33.

The flexible member 30 for use herein comprises as a first element a locking means 34 which is adapted to inter-engage said sealing means 17. Suitable locking means 34 for use herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Examples of suitable locking means 34 include but are not limited to hooks, clasp elements, protrusions, apertures, spigots or plugs.

Sealing means 17 and locking means 34 shall imperatively be selected so as they cooperate to form a locking system. Such locking systems are well within the competence of the skilled person.

The locking systems for use in the present invention, allow said locking means 34 to securely inter-engage said sealing means 17 in such a way that the cap 16 is efficiently maintained in its closed position onto the base member 6 even when the container 2 on which the dispensing closure 1 of the present invention is mounted, is involuntarily dropped on the floor.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said locking means 34 is a clasp element as represented in particular in FIG. 7 and FIG. 10. This specific locking means 34 is particularly well adapted to inter-engage the hooks located in the preferred cap 16 for use in the present invention.

The flexible member 30 further includes an actuating means 35 which is an integral part of said flexible member 30. The actuating means 35 may have any suitable configuration, form or dimension for accommodating the configuration of the flexible member 30. As will be easily appreciated by those skilled in the art, multiple configurations may be suitably used for such an actuating means 35.

The actuating means 35 is, when actuated, capable of disengaging said locking means 34 from said sealing means 17 thereby causing said cap 16 to be released back towards its open position due to the antagonist restoring force generated by the elastic deformation of said means of articulation 26 when said cap 16 is mechanically forced towards its closed position.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said actuating means 35 is in the form of a pushing button, as represented in the accompanying drawings. Said pushing button may be of any shape commonly known in the art, including but not limited to circular, square, rectangular, ovoid or triangular. More preferably, said pushing button has a square shape, preferably provided with a centrally positioned cavity 36 so as to facilitate the pushing action by a finger of the user.

The actuating means 35 may be located at any suitable position provided it is easily accessible by the user's fingers. Such suitable positions may be readily identifiable by the person skilled in the art. However, according to a preferred execution of the invention, the actuating means 35 advantageously projects out from the skirt 8 via an opening 37 created into the skirt 8 for that purpose. According to a more preferred embodiment, said actuating means 35 is located at a specific position (see e.g. FIG. 3) nearby the means of articulation 26 so as to provide improved opening/closing ergonomics. Preferably, said actuating means 35 is operated by using one finger of the same hand that is used to hold the container 2 during the dispensing operation. Furthermore, it is preferred that said actuating means 35 be fixed to a pivot stem 38 so that said actuating means 35 is allowed to pivot around a fictive axis when said actuating means 35 is under actuation without said actuating means 35 being unfavourably displaced during actuation.

In a preferred aspect, the flexible member 30 is provided with a resiliently deformable portion 39 which is temporarily and elastically stressed when said actuating means 35 is mechanically actuated and which provides a restoring force back towards the normal position of said actuating means 35 once said actuation operation is removed.

Preferably, the resiliently deformable portion 39 is an accordion-like spring as represented for example in FIG. 7. The flexible member 30 for use herein may be optionally provided with an additional spring means (not represented) suitably located and which is designed such as to provide a further improved restoring force, as above described.

In the normal course of a closing/opening operation, while said cap 16 is in its closed position, the actuating means 35 is mechanically actuated so as to make said flexible member 30 translating within the housing 31 thereby disengaging said locking means 34 from said sealing means 17. Due to the restoring force created into the resiliently deformable portion 39 during actuation of the actuating means 35, said flexible member 30 is resiliently forced back towards its initial position into the housing 31.

The flexible member 30 for use herein may be formed from any suitable material commonly known in the art. Preferably, said flexible member 30 is formed from the same material as that used to form the cap 16 and/or the base member 6 and/or the means of articulation 26. According to preferred embodiment, the flexible member 30 may be formed as a single piece, preferably from the same thermoplastic material such as polyethylene or polypropylene. According to this specific embodiment, the different parts of the flexible member 30 may be advantageously molded within a single injection molding operation which involves therefore a both simple and economical manufacturing process.

Complementary Means 40,41 Capable of Releasing Said Cap 16 Back to its Open Position

The dispensing closure 1 of to the present invention further comprises complementary means 40,41 capable of releasing said cap 16 back towards its open position once said locking means 34 have been disengaged from said sealing means 17.

Complementary means 40,41 for use in the present invention are located in said cap 16 and in said flexible member 30. Suitable complementary means 40,41 for use herein will easily be recognized by those skilled in the art, as this is well within the common practice in the field. Typically, said complementary means 40,41 are based on a spring-like effect.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said complementary means 40,41, take the form of a cooperative combination of a flexible piece 40 and a corresponding fixed structural element 41. Preferably, said flexible piece 40 is elastically stressed when compressed by said structural element 41.

In a very preferred execution, said flexible piece 40 is located in the flexible member 30, preferably on its upper lip 32 and nearby the actuating means 35. As for the corresponding structural element 41 it is preferably located on the cap 16, even more preferably located on the inner surface 20 of the transition piece 19. According to such a preferred execution, the deck 7 may preferably be provided with an aperture 42 adapted such as said structural element 41 is able to traverse through the deck 7 and come into contact with the flexible piece 40, such as shown in FIG. 4.

In a highly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flexible piece 40 is a flexible arm, preferably an inclined flexible arm, and the structural element 41 is in the form of a flange, preferably a sharp flange, more preferably a sharp and beveled flange, as represented in FIG. 4. However, the present invention is not so limited. The flexible piece 40 and the structural element 41 shall be configured so as they cooperate to form a dynamic spring-like system. Such dynamic spring-like systems are well within the competence of the skilled person.

The complementary means 40,41 are aimed at releasing, preferably pushing, said cap 16 back towards its open position and are preferably able to quickly flip open said cap 16 over an angle of preferably at least 180° with respect to the horizontal plan formed by the deck 7.

According to a highly preferred execution of the present invention and in the normal course of an opening operation, while said cap 16 is in its closed position, the structural element 41 does not put any elastic stress on the flexible piece 40. However, when the actuating means 35 is mechanically actuated, said flexible member 30 translates within the housing 31. Concurrent to said translation motion, and due the particular shapes and configurations of the structural element 41 and the flexible piece 40, the structural element 41 increasingly compresses said flexible piece 40 downwardly, putting an increasing elastic stress on it. When said flexible member 30 has translated enough to disengage said locking means 34 from said sealing means 17, the cap 16 is pushed back towards its open position due to the energy stored when said flexible piece 40 is compressed thereby creating an upwardly restoring force parallel to a fictive vertical axis. Also, due to the restoring force created into the resiliently deformable portion 39 during actuation of the actuating means 35, said flexible member 30 is resiliently forced back towards its initial position into the housing 31 when said mechanical actuation is discontinued.

In the context of the present invention, it is preferred that said complementary means 40,41 are integrally part of the specific elements they are located in. More specifically and according to a highly preferred embodiment, said flexible piece 40 is preferably integrally part of said flexible member 30 and said structural element 41 is preferably integrally part of said cap 16.

Container Closure Assembly

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a container closure assembly, comprising:

-   -   (a) a container 2 having a body portion 4 for holding the         container content, a lower closed end for supporting the         container 2, an upper end including a means of attachment         thereon adapted to receive and affix a dispensing closure for         containers;     -   (b) a dispensing closure 1 according to the invention, mounted         on the container 2.         A Method of Dispensing the Content of a Container 2

The present invention further encompasses a method of dispensing the content of a container 2 comprising the steps of:

-   -   (a) providing a container closure assembly according to the         invention, wherein said cap 16 is in its closed position;     -   (b) actuating said actuating means 35 so as to release said cap         16 back towards its open position;     -   (c) pouring the required amount of the container content through         said dispensing means;     -   (d) mechanically closing said cap 16 back towards its closed         position.

Use of a container closure assembly according to the invention, for dispensing a liquid composition.

In a further embodiment, the present invention is directed to the use of a closure assembly according to the present invention for dispensing a liquid composition, preferably a liquid detergent composition, most preferably a liquid laundry detergent composition.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm”.

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims to all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention. 

1. A dispensing closure suitable for being mounted on a container, said container having a dispensing opening and being suitable for containing a pourable product in its interior volume, wherein said dispensing closure comprises: (a) a base member comprising a means for attachment to said container, a draining canal adapted to communicate with the interior volume of said container, and a discharging means; (b) a cap comprising a sealing means for securing said cap onto said base member thereby covering said discharging means in a tight manner vis-à-vis the content of said container; (c) a means of articulation of said cap with respect to said base member between a open position whereby said discharging means is uncovered and a closed position whereby said discharging means is covered by said cap; said means of articulation joining said cap to said base member; (d) a flexible member lodged within said base member and comprising a locking means adapted to inter-engage said sealing means so as to maintain said cap in its closed position; said flexible member further comprising an actuating means which under actuation is capable of disengaging said locking means from said sealing means; (e) complementary means located in said cap and in said flexible member capable of releasing said cap back towards its open position once said locking means have been disengaged from said sealing means.
 2. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said base member is substantially cylindrical.
 3. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said means for attachment is a cooperative thread.
 4. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said base member further comprises a deflecting stem projecting upwardly from the base member.
 5. A dispensing closure according to claim 4, wherein said deflecting stem surrounds said discharging means.
 6. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said discharging means is a pouring spout.
 7. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said sealing means is at least one hook.
 8. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said cap possesses a lip portion and a lip stem projecting downwardly from said lip portion and extending around the perimeter of said lip portion.
 9. A dispensing closure according to claim 8, wherein said base member further comprises a receiving recess adapted to tightly fit said lip stem.
 10. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said means of articulation is a hinge-type assembly.
 11. A dispensing closure according to claim 10, wherein said hinge-type assembly is selected from the group of pivot-hinge, butterfly-hinge and three-legged-hinge.
 12. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said actuating means is a pushing button.
 13. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said flexible member is a strap.
 14. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said locking means is a clasp element.
 15. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said flexible member further comprises a resiliently deformable portion.
 16. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said complementary means take the form of a cooperative combination of a flexible piece and a corresponding fixed structural element, wherein said flexible piece is elastically stressed when compressed by said structural element.
 17. A dispensing closure according to claim 16, wherein said flexible piece is located on the upper lip of said flexible member, and said structural element is located on said cap.
 18. A dispensing closure according to claim 16, wherein said flexible piece is a flexible arm, and said structural element is in the form of a flange.
 19. A dispensing closure according to claim 17, wherein said base member comprises a skirt and a deck and wherein said deck is further provided with an aperture adapted such as to permit said structural element to traverse through said deck and come into contact with said flexible piece.
 20. A dispensing closure according to claim 1, wherein said pourable product is a liquid.
 21. A container closure assembly, comprising: (a) a container having a body portion for holding container content, a lower closed end for supporting said container, an upper end including a means of attachment thereon adapted to receive and affix a dispensing closure for containers; and (b) a dispensing closure according to claim 1 mounted on said container.
 22. A method of dispensing the content of a container comprising the steps of: (a) providing a container closure assembly according to claim 21 wherein said cap is in its closed position; (b) actuating said actuating means so as to release said cap back to its open position; (c) pouring the required amount of the container content through said discharging means; (d) mechanically closing said cap back towards its closed position. 